For immediate
release: For additional information contact:
June 21, 2007 Bill Bjork,
President
Virginia McKinney, Communications Director
274-0536 (work); 263-8529 (direct);
229-1803 (cell, occasionally on)
Media Advisory
Who:
Superior Court Judge Sharon Gleason
What:
Rules education system violates Constitutional due process rights of
some students; upholds constitutionality of school funding; stays
decision for a year
When:
Today
Where:
Superior Court for the State of
Alaska, Third Judicial District at
Anchorage
Background: On
August 9, 2004, a coalition of parents, educators, and school
districts challenged the constitutionality of Alaska’s funding for
kindergarten through high school (K-12) schools. Moore vs. State
of Alaska centers on adequacy-- because the state does not invest
enough money in its schools to provide an adequate education for
all students. A month-long trial ended in early November 2006.
What's next: We
will read and study the 196-page opinion then review our options.
Statement by Bill Bjork:
“This is a mixed ruling. We’re pleased that the judge
recognized that many of Alaska’s children are not receiving an
adequate education.
“But as far as the funding piece is concerned, this
appears to be a disappointing setback. Frankly, we’re
puzzled.
“Two decades of flat funding have cut the buying power of our
schools almost in half. Despite the best efforts of teachers and
other educators, our schools are failing too many of Alaska’s
children. School districts simply do not have the resources they
need to offer every child the opportunity to meet standards—to leave
no child behind.
“To
say that money doesn’t matter simply defies logic.”
